VARSITY ALL-HARFORD COUNTY

Tauber made waves last year as a freshman with some good late-season runs. That turned out to be just a preview for this year.

Despite being only a sophomore, Tauber took over the role as the Patriots' top runner. She ran consistently and played a large role in John Carroll's surprise second-place performance in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland championship meet.

Tauber's performances served as the backbone for a young Patriot team.

(She ran away from McDonogh's Jo Baird and Madeline Dulac to win the IAAM A Conference championship on a cold day in late October. She then came back a week later to win the private schools state championship meet.

Girls Coach of the Year

Donnie Mickey, C. Milton Wright

Mickey guided the Mustangs to a second straight Class 4A state title, and they had a much easier time this year than last fall, when Wright came away with a one-point victory.

The Mustangs got a 34-point win this fall, even more impressive considering that they were going against bigger Montgomery County schools. Mickey studied those teams' results throughout the season and understood what his girls needed to do to repeat.

Despite having lost top runner Sara Bailey from last year's title team, the Mustangs came together as a group and ran strongly throughout the fall.

They won the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference title before taking the Class 4A North regional meet and then the state crown.

Girls Team

Taylor Battaglia John Carroll Fr.

Caitey Ellenby Bel Air Fr.

Whitney Hora C.M. Wright Jr.

Hannah McKenzie C.M. Wright Sr.

Shannon Rafferty C.M. Wright Jr.

Megan Schott North Harford Soph.

Erica Scripa C.M. Wright Sr.

Hanna Stambaugh Bel Air Fr.

Alanna Sweetser C.M. Wright Sr.

Elizabeth Tauber John Carroll Soph.

Boys Runner of the Year

Tyler Muse, Bel Air

With Muse at the forefront, Bel Air improved throughout the season and peaked at the end.

Muse was consistent, especially in the big races at season's end. He finished third in the UCBAC championship meet, as Bel Air routed runner-up Bohemia Manor and the rest of the field.

The sophomore then finished fifth in the Class 3A East regional, as three Bobcats placed in the top 10 to help the team take second place. Muse completed the season by placing sixth in the Class 3A state meet, as Bel Air finished second, five points behind Atholton.

Boys Coach of the Year

Shawn Loper, Bel Air

The Bobcats made Loper's last season a memorable one. With a good group of consistent runners, Bel Air became of the state's top teams.

Bel Air won the UCBAC championship in impressive fashion, scoring 35 points to easily outdistance Bohemia Manor (89). The Bobcats finished second to Atholton in the Class 3A East regional meet a week later.

At that meet, Bel Air lost by 19 points, but made it a lot closer the next week in the state meet on the always-tough Hereford course.

Boys Team

Nick Cook Bel Air Jr.

Mike Evans Bel Air Sr.

Mike Fischer C.M. Wright Sr.

Collin Hickey Patterson Mill Soph.

Alex Kammerer C.M. Wright Sr.

Alex Lohrman Bel Air Sr.

Tyler Muse Bel Air Soph.

Ben Pickett John Carroll Fr.

Austin Poist Edgewood Sr.

Jake Silverman Patterson Mill Jr.

Note: Teams selected by Jeff Seidel after consultation with The Baltimore Sun staff and area coaches.